Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-09-30
LOCAL.
LAUNCHED!

THE PR OHIBITION THIRD
PARTY AFLOAT WITH
Il CREW
A SMALL, BUT EARNEST CONVENTION
IT is DETERMINED TO HAVE NOT ONLY
A PROHIBITION, BUT A POLITICAL
PARTY OF PRINCIPLES
STATE IzATION-sKETCHEs OF
THE ADDRESSES, DEBATES, &C.-NIGHT
MEETING.
&C., &C., &C.
On Friday morning last, the State Con-
ference held by the friends of Prohibition
met in Somerville Hall. There were ten
counties -Nottoway, Botetourt, Montgom-
cry, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Augusta. Rock
ingham, Frederick, Loudoun and Clarke
represented. The number of Delegate s
from outside of Staunton and Augusta
was probably twenty-five, possibly not SO
many; but the earnestness and determine
tion shown by those present was such as
might have been expected from body en-
cOuraged by q much larger attendance.
The call for the convention had only been
out about ten days, Or probably two
weeks, and there was general appearance
Of the gun having gone off half-cocked as
far as attendance was concerned, and the
impression that with better manage ment
and more time, a much larger body wo uld
have assembled. The audience after the
convention got to work, and which was
furnished by Stanton, was good nearly
all day, and at one time numbered as
many as the hall could comfortably seat.
Among the delegates were some eight or
ten colored men, one Of them-and one Of
ence--was Rev. NJ. G. Young the pastor
of the A. Nj. e. church.
THE ORGANIZATION.
The conferences was called to order by
Hon. Thomas E. Taylor. of Loudon, mem
Der for Virginia, Of the National Prohibit
ton Committee. He read the call which had
been issued fer its assembling. and then
requested Rev. G.. W. Speggle of the LGth-
eran denomination. to invoke the divine
blessing on the deliberations of the body,
which he did.
Mr.. Taylor then said, We come here for
the purpose Of laying the foundation for a
party which is to rule the State and Nation.
(Applause.) The time is coming, and
now is. when Christian men can no longer
cast their ballots for men nominated in the
saloons. We believe this organization of
third party to 10 necessary for the ad-
vancement of the cause. The press may
ridicule us,and we often deserve i'll don Il
believe we got bit more than we deserve
but the politicians are watching US and
only waiting to see how the thing works.
(arplause.) The whiskey men are see
saving with the politicians all over the
country and thereby ruling US. In my
county the only difference between the
Republican and Democratic politicians on
the whiskey question is that if you ask a
Democrat to drink he will take his straight,
and if you ask Republican he will want
little sugar in it, tlaughter.) The two
parties make up their platforms-the Dem
ocrat puts In his that he wants no sump-
tuary laws; the Republican puts in his
that he Is better temperance man than
you are! My friends the most dangerous
man in the world is whiskey man stand
ing on Temperance platform. When
you go to the ballot box, vote as you pray;
vote for men who will do all for US and
PM fo lie
cuss Temperauce-we are all Temperance
men; but we are here to discuss the ways
and means of making our party effective
and victorious. Let us then have your
best thoughts On 1t, and in the exchang-
ing Of them lett US have union and harmony,
(appl&use) Our best thought and plans are
not how to outrun Democracy or Republi-
canism, but how to plant our own banner
on the capitol of this Nation, (applausel
When you go into your committees take
care of the platform. God, Woman, Vir-
tue, are On our side; Whlskey, Death and
Ruin are Oh the other. II we had had Vir-
ginia sober we should have had the State
debt settled long ago. There is nothing like
whiskey to produce confusion of counsel
and that is the way the State debt CUES
ton has been muddled.
1t won't take any police to watch this
convention. (great applause). That's more
than you can say Of the most of them.
They were going to hold a convention for
my district IN Winchester, but that town
had gone dry; so they Went over to Clarke
and there they made nomination in no
time at ALL Let US remember that
we are not entitled to the respect of the
people until we have shown them that we
deserve it. We are few in numbers here
to-day, but we are laying the foundation
of party which shall command both
the respect and the votes of the people.
THE CHAIRMAN.
Mr.. ". J. Shelburn, of Montgomery
county, was then chosen chairman Of the
conference. In taking the chair he said
his county had voted by 567 majority fer
Local Option. From that it might be in
ferred that there were considerable num-
Der of Prohlbitlonlsts in the Southwest,
though he happened to be the only repre-
sentative present from that section. We
want Prohibltory amendment to the
Federal Constitution submitted by Con-
gress to the people-that is our ultimate
aim. hear men say stop advancing now;
this is not the time. But we reply we
cannot stop; this cause is too deep down in
our hearts to stop. 1t is not for Office we
are in thiS work: it is not for reward: if
is for principle, and we can never give up
till victory crowns US.
On motion Of Mt. G. E. Haines, Mr.. K.
H. Bell of Staunton was appointed tempo
rary Secretary. The following committee
on permanent organization was appointed